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Back to School

Here We Go

If you’re like me, then back to school feels like a very refreshing time of the year. It’s like a mini new year within the year filled with resolutions, goals, and new pretty planners! (Hellooooo Target!) That being said, going back to school can be a rough adjustment after the summer – especially if this school year involves new changes. Maybe you’re heading into your senior year of high school or your first year of college and you’re moving away. Or maybe you’re heading off to grad school! Maybe, you’re in the middle of your degree and wondering if it’s the right choice for you. It’s all good, I’ve got some tips and tricks to help you kill it this year.

Outfit = Attitude

First things first, attitude is everything and thats starts with your outfit. Dress for success is one of my favorite mottos. Be sure to pick an outfit that makes you feel good about your first day. If you know you’re going to be hauling your books all over campus, opt for athleisurewear or something functional yet stylish. If you’re just sticking to a few buildings, pick something cute that makes you feel confident.

Networking is the New Black

Use this change as an opportunity to expand your network or friend group. In college, you’re likely to be surrounded by people who share like-minded career goals and mindsets. Try joining a club and meeting new people that way or just introducing yourself to someone in a class! It’s super nerve-wracking but 9/10 it ends in a positive experience!

Networking is EVERYTHING these days. Especially if you’re entering a competitive career field (medicine for example), who you know is a BIG deal. You’ll need letters of recommendation and people to speak on your behalf, so it’s important to network early. Don’t be shy. I am a big believer in taking charge of your situation and going the extra mile by forming relationships that matter. Trust me on this one. It’s how I managed to break into a competitive field of medicine in one of the most competitive states in the country.

Routine

I’ve narrowed down some of the best tips and tricks that helped me when adjusting to the new school year. Let me know which ones also work for you!

My routine is essential and helps me set myself up for success every day.

First up, sleep! Make sure you’re getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night. I know how hard that can be when you’re stressing or cramming for an exam but if you layout your schedule and routines well, you should be able to find time for a good night’s rest. The only time you should be pulling all-nighters is if your job requires you to work night shift (ya feel me?)!

Decide when you’ll pack your bags for the day, will it be the night before or in the morning? I liked packing my bag and lunch the evening before so that it would be ready to go with everything I needed the next morning. Now… I have the luxury of a husband who loves to pack my lunch. So I’ve gotten lazy and he does it for me the day of, while I get ready. Be sure to pack some healthy foods like nuts, seeds, and hard-boiled eggs to help keep your brain functioning at its best!

Be sure to use your study time and class time wisely. Quality > quantity for study/learning hours, my friends. Avoid getting distracted in class by leaving your phone in your bag, and listen to what your prof has to say. Read the material beforehand so that you can confidently keep up with it during class as well! Study hard but make sure to take breaks here and there which will help you refocus and ultimately succeed when it comes to midterms and finals!

Use a planner to keep things in order! I’m so old school (and just old). I love writing things down because I LOVE crossing them out when I’m finished. A physical, old school planner helps me keep to-do lists and deadlines on track and it acts as a home base for everything I need to get done – even things that aren’t school-related! Plus I use it to write inspirational or motivational quotes that I find. I also like to put those up around my workspace to give me the extra push that I need from time to time.

Give this new routine, or whatever things you want to implement this school year, time. I’m sure as it’s a fresh start, you’ll feel great the first few days and then maybe fall into older habits. Don’t stress. Just pick yourself back up and try to carry on with the new routine and goals that you’ve set out for yourself.

Don’t repeat mistakes. If something isn’t working, change it. The more you use trial and error (even thought it’s uncomfortable), the quicker you will arrive at what works for you!

So there you have it! I’ll link some of my favorite back to school supplies below! Comment to let me know what works for you when it comes to back to school healthy habits and what other ideas you have! I’d love to hear them!

Summer Reads

Summer is here, which means I’m officially ready to sit back, relax, enjoy vacation and dive into a good book. As you know, I spent a lot of years in med school reading textbooks that were interesting, but heavy (literally and figuratively) and not relaxing to read at all. Now that this chapter of my life is closed, I’m excited to open new chapters (pun intended) and read a book or two… or five, for the pure enjoyment factor. Plus, if I happen to learn something new along the way, that’s a bonus! Lately I find myself always keeping a good book on the nightstand so that I can wind down my busy mind before bed.

Now is the Time for Summer Reads

Summer is the perfect time to read more because we’re generally given more opportunities to relax. Nothing is better than a good novel by the pool or during long plane rides. In the summer, schedules are usually less busy so it’s also the perfect time to start a book club with your girlfriends and finally get around to reading Michelle Obama’s new book!

Let’s Be Real: Reading Is So Important

I think a lot of us dreaded reading when we were younger. But, it turns out, it’s fun if you’re reading something enjoyable! Reading keeps our minds sharp and our imaginations fresh. It can keep our brains on the ball in ways that Netflix and YouTube just can’t. Keeping your mind active by reading provides opportunities to learn and feel things that movies can’t always make you feel. Working in a very analytical environment as a Doctor leaves a bit of a void for using my playful and imaginative mind, I find that reading is one of the best ways to practice that and unwind.

Light Reads vs Thinking Reads

You’ll see it in my list below, but reading really consumes us – whether our imagination and creativity is running free with the characters or we’re learning something new about ourselves and our habits. I usually reach for whatever I’m in the mood for. If I want to be entertained it’s something light, if I’m looking for motivation it’s self-help.

My 2019 Summer Reading List

I broke my list down for you into fiction and non-fiction reads. Most of my fiction reads are mystery or suspense novels. I love how these thrillers keep me on the edge and keep my brain RACING!

▪ The Island by Elin Hilderbrand (this is more of a love story/EXCELLENT beach read)

Meanwhile, most of my non-fiction reads are self-help or business books. While they’re still entertaining and fun to read – and definitely less heavy than a med school textbook – they still require thinking caps and provide learning experiences. I always make sure that if I’m by the pool or sitting at the spa, I grab a fiction read so that my brain can think less. Meanwhile, if I’m on a plane and have a bit more time to process the information and maybe even takes some notes I grab something self-help or business related.

Non-Fiction – Self-Help

▪ The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson

▪ Everything is F*cked by Mark Manson

▪ You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

▪ Leave your Mark by Aliza Licht

▪ Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff – Richard Carlson

▪ How to Be Parisian Wherever you Are – by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas

Non-Fiction – Business Reads

▪ Swim with the sharks without being eaten alive by Harvey Mackay

▪ Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Your Summer Reading List

I took to the forces of Instagram too because I wanted to know what you were all reading this summer! You guys left me some amazing responses which I’ve broken down here:

Fiction – Mystery/Thriller

▪ Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

▪ The Widow by Fiona Barton

▪ The silent patient by Alex Michaelides

▪ Deja dead by Kathy Reichs

Fiction – Novels

▪ Love In The Time Of Cholera – by Gabriel García Márquez

▪ A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

▪ The Pact by Jodi Picoult

▪ The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

▪ A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

▪ The Art of Racing in the Rain – by Garth Stein

▪ The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Non-Fiction – Self-Help

▪ No Excuses by Brian Tracy

▪ Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

▪ Blink! by Malcolm Gladwell

▪ The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

▪ The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins

▪ The Untethered Soul by Michael Alan Singer

▪ Choose Wonder Over Worry – by Amber Rae

Non-Fiction – True Crime

▪ Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

▪ Molly’s Game by Molly Bloom

Non-Fiction – Auto/Biography

▪ When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi

▪ Educated by Tara Westover

▪ The glass castle by Jeannette Walls

▪ Fail until you don’t- Fight. Grind. Repeat. by Bobby Bones

Drop a comment below and tell me which of these you’ve read, which one you’re looking forward to reading and where you’ll be reading it! (Poolside with a margarita, perhaps?) I can’t wait to hear from you!

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Dr. Majestic

I invite you to take a glimpse into my crazy, beautiful life in medicine and allow me to teach you my health, wellness, and lifestyle tips along the way.